Epifaniy receives Filaret and presents him with a “letter of gratitude”

Epifaniy Dumenko and Filaret Denysenko. Photo: OCU

On November 5, 2025, Filaret visited the residence of the OCU head, Epifaniy Dumenko, as well as St. Michael’s Cathedral, the OCU website reported.

According to the report, the two discussed “the challenges of Russian aggression and the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine,” and agreed that “the use of the Ukrainian language in worship is the cornerstone of its development and consolidation.”

Afterward, Epifaniy and Denysenko held a “joint prayer in St. Michael’s Cathedral for Ukraine’s victory over the Russian aggressor and for the coming of a just peace.”

Epifaniy also presented Filaret with a “letter of gratitude.” It is noted that on October 26, Epifaniy personally visited Filaret at his residence to congratulate him on the anniversary of his “patriarchate.”

“Glory be to God that we can communicate like this. We must show love and constantly thank God for all His blessings,” Filaret was quoted by the OCU press service as saying. “God is love. In the Kingdom of God, love reigns. Out of love, God created the world and suffered for it. Therefore, we must also love one another.”

At the same time, sources affiliated with the UOC-KP claim that Filaret was under the influence of psychotropic medication, accuse OCU representatives of attempts on his life, and allege that he is being pressured to sign a document dissolving the Kyiv Patriarchate.

Earlier, the UOJ analyzed why the OCU did not recognize Filaret’s will.

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